ENGLISH
IV RESEARCH PAPER
Argument
of a Controversial Issue
This
research paper focuses on an issue of controversy present in today’s
society. The topic list is an extensive
list of what our library has available, but if you would like to choose a topic
that is not on the list, you must provide evidence that it meets the criteria
on the bottom of the topic sheet.
With
this project, you have the choice of how much work you are willing to do; you
must meet all of the requirements for each portion of the project to be
eligible for that grade. NOTE: meeting the requirements DOES NOT
GUARANTEE that you will earn the maximum points, only that you are eligible for those points.
A LAYER REQUIREMENTS
The
maximum number of points for each of the following requirements is 100 points.
1. 6-7 sources minimum – you may only use 1 internet source
(website). Databases (EBSCO, GALE, etc.)
and reputable newspaper websites or organizations (i.e. the New York Times or the National Rifle
Association’s websites) do not count
towards your “internet” sources, despite the fact that they are online. All sources should be database, book,
magazine or newspaper articles, or reputable organizations that relate to your
topic. (In other words, you should not need to employ the rule of only 1
internet source, because all your sources should fall into the above category.)
2. REMEMBER:
you must address both sides of your
issue, so you need to find information that supports the side you are
arguing for, and the side you are arguing against.
3. 65+ notecards
in proper format, including coding.
-Complete 35-40 note cards
outlining “your” side of the issue – try to include as many facts that help to
support your argument as possible. Make
sure all facts are accurate by double-checking their accuracy between sources.
-Complete -25-30 note cards
outlining the opposing viewpoint of your issue.
Yes, you must research the other side of this issue in order to
effectively argue why you have your view.
THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR PAPER. You may not get exactly 25-30 per side, but
the important point is that you do a legitimate background investigation of
your opposing viewpoint.
4. This
paper has a requirement of 1,000-1,300
words.
5. Other
requirements:
-An outline with topics
and subtopics listed
-Works Cited page written
in Modern American Language (MLA) format
B LAYER REQUIREMENTS
The
maximum number of points for each of the following requirements is 89 points.
1. 5 sources minimum – you may only use 1 internet source
(website). Databases (EBSCO, GALE, etc.)
and reputable newspaper websites or organizations (i.e. the New York Times or the National Rifle
Association’s websites) do not count
towards your “internet” sources, despite the fact that they are online. All sources should be database, book,
magazine or newspaper articles, or reputable organizations that relate to your
topic. (In other words, you should not need to employ the rule of only 1
internet source, because all your sources should fall into the above category.)
2. REMEMBER:
you must address both sides of your
issue, so you need to find information that supports the side you are
arguing for, and the side you are arguing against.
3. 60-64
note cards in proper format, including coding.
-Complete 30-35 note
cards outlining “your” side of the issue – try to include as many facts that
help to support your argument as possible.
Make sure all facts are accurate by double-checking their accuracy
between sources.
-Complete -20-25 note
cards outlining the opposing viewpoint of your issue. Yes, you must research the other side of this
issue in order to effectively argue why you have your view. THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS
OF YOUR PAPER. You may not get exactly
25-30 per side, but the important point is that you do a legitimate background
investigation of your opposing viewpoint.
6. This
paper has a requirement of 801-999
words.
7. Other
requirements:
-An outline with topics
and subtopics listed
-Works Cited page written
in Modern American Language (MLA) format
C LAYER REQUIREMENTS
The
maximum number of points for each of the following requirements is 79 points.
4. 3-4 sources minimum – you may only use 1 internet source
(website). Databases (EBSCO, GALE, etc.)
and reputable newspaper websites or organizations (i.e. the New York Times or the National Rifle
Association’s websites) do not count
towards your “internet” sources, despite the fact that they are online. All sources should be database, book,
magazine or newspaper articles, or reputable organizations that relate to your
topic. (In other words, you should not need to employ the rule of only 1
internet source, because all your sources should fall into the above category.)
5. REMEMBER:
you must address both sides of your
issue, so you need to find information that supports the side you are
arguing for, and the side you are arguing against.
6. 50-59
note cards in proper format, including coding.
-Complete 30-35 note
cards outlining “your” side of the issue – try to include as many facts that
help to support your argument as possible.
Make sure all facts are accurate by double-checking their accuracy
between sources.
-Complete -20-25 note
cards outlining the opposing viewpoint of your issue. Yes, you must research the other side of this
issue in order to effectively argue why you have your view. THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS
OF YOUR PAPER. You may not get exactly
25-30 per side, but the important point is that you do a legitimate background
investigation of your opposing viewpoint.
8. This
paper has a requirement of 700-800
words.
9. Other
requirements:
-An outline with topics
and subtopics listed
-Works Cited page written
in Modern American Language (MLA) format
